Bicycle rack

ABSTRACT

A rack for securing bicycles to the trunk lid of an automobile. The rack includes a rigid support member having legs which rest directly on top of the trunk lid. A pair of rearwardly extending arms are rigidly mounted on the rear portion of the rigid support and are adapted to receive the frame of a bicycle thereon. Straps extend from the rigid support and are secured to the lower edge of the back of the trunk lid in order to hold the support member rigidly against the top of the trunk lid. Means are provided to interconnect the front of the support to the front of the trunk lid. A cable or chain passes around and is secured to the bicycle and interconnects to the means which interconnects the front portion of the bicycle rack to the front of the trunk lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OFTHE PRIOR ART

This invention relates to bicycle racks or carriers for mounting onautomobiles, and it particularly relates to bicycle racks or carriersfor automobiles, wherein the rack, as well as the bicycle, is secured tothe lid in such a way as to discourage theft.

In the last few years, there has been a great increase in the use ofbicycles, particularly by adults, for leisure, as well as for practicalpurposes, as for use by commuters between train stations and theirhomes. Not only has the use of bicycles increased greatly, but more andmore city parks and outlying recreational areas have set aside bicycletrails which are not open to motor vehicle transportation. In additionto these bicycle trails, which are specifically set aside for suchpurposes, bicycle riders often enjoy bringing their bicycles into ruralareas for bicycling on a country road. Because such bicycle trails andcountry roads, more often than not, are at substantial distances fromthe bicycle rider's home, it is necessary to transport bicycles byautomobile to the place where the bicycle is to be ridden. Generallyspeaking, it is very inconvenient or impossible to place a bicycleinside the passenger space of an automobile or inside the automobile'strunk. Many times trunks are not simply large enough to receive thebicycle and, even if the bicycle can be placed in the car, there is noroom in the car for more than one or two passengers. Therefore, anyonewho wishes to transport bicycles for use at substantial distances fromhis home needs a bicycle rack or carrier for mounting the bicyclerigidly on the exterior of the automobile.

Known bicycle racks or carriers are of various types. Some of the knowntypes of bicycle racks mount directly to the rear bumper of theautomobile and the bicycle rests on the arms which extend rearwardlytherefrom. A flexible strap on the leg holds the bicycle in place so asto prevent it from being jarred off. Another type of rear bumper bicyclerack is a "well" type, wherein the wheels of the bicycle are inserted inopenings or wells. In still another type of bicycle carrier, the rack issecured to the roof of the car and the bicycle is received in anupside-down position on the rack. Other types of auto mounted bicyclecarriers use straps and support members for holding the bicycle to thetrunk lid of an automobile, the bike being laid down horizontally on thetrunk lid.

Such prior art bicycle racks are generally satisfactory for theirintended purposes, but all are considered to have certain disadvantages.For example, bumper mounted bicycle carriers make it difficult to obtainaccess to the trunk of the car. Other types, such as the trunk lidmounted type bicycle carriers, may also make it difficult to gain accessto the trunk because the bike is mounted directly on top of the lid andit is difficult to raise the trunk lid sufficiently high. Still further,roof mounted bicycle carriers are considered difficult to mount on theroof and the securing of the bicycle on the rack, once mounted, isdifficult. Also, no known bicycle racks use any type of locks todiscourage theft. With the increase in the bicycle riding, there hasalso been a significant and unfortunate increase in bicycle thefts.Thus, although known bicycle racks have generally proven satisfactory,that is, for transporting bicycles, it has been a rather simple matternot only to steal the bicycle from the bicycle rack, but also to stealthe bicycle, together with the rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide animproved bicycle carrier for mounting on automobiles, wherein thedisadvantages of similar prior art devices are substantially avoided.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved carrierfor mounting bicycles on automobiles wherein the bicycle rack andbicycle can be locked to a trunk lid to thereby discourage theft of thebicycle and/or carrier.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improvedcarrier for mounting bicycles on automobiles wherein the carrier isparticularly characterized by its simplicity and economy ofconstruction, manufacture, and use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved carrierfor mounting bicycles on automobiles wherein the bicycle is suspendedfrom the trunk lid of the automobile but the bicycles themselves extendbeyond the rear end of the automobile to thereby provide convenientaccess to the trunk.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved rackfor mounting bicycles to automobiles wherein the rack may be easilymounted to a trunk lid of an automobile and wherein the bicycle and rackare locked in place thereon to discourage theft.

Further purposes and objects of this invention will appear as thespecification proceeds.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a carrier formounting bicycles on the trunk lid of an automobile wherein the carrierincludes a rigid support having a front portion and a rear portion, thesupport member resting directly on the trunk lid, means mounted on therear portion of the support member and projecting rearwardly therefromfor receiving at least one bicycle thereon, means for connecting therear portion of the support member to the rear of the trunk lid, meansfor interconnecting the front portion of the support member to the frontof the lid, flexible elongated means for connection to the bicycle, andmeans for interlocking the flexible means to the front portioninterconnecting means to thereby lock the bicycle and the rack to thetrunk lid to discourage theft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One particular embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my improved bicycle carrier forautomobiles, shown mounted on the trunk lid of an automobile;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed, enlarged sectional view of a portion of the meansused to interconnect the support member to the means for interconnectingthe support member to the trunk lid;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the bracket used to interlock the front ofthe support member to the front of a trunk lid;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the bracket used to interlock the rear ofthe support member of the bicycle rack to the rear of the trunk lid;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a rear corner of the support member withone bicycle supporting arm shown thereon; and

FIG. 8 is a rear view of an automobile using my improved bicycle rackwith a bicycle shown in place on the rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, my improvedbicycle rack carrier, generally 10, is shown in a securely mountedposition on the lid L of a trunk of an automobile A.

The carrier 10 includes a main, rigid support member, generally 12,which includes a pair of laterally spaced upright front legs 14 and apair of laterally spaced upright rear legs 16. Each pair of legs 14 and16 are unitarily interconnected by a longitudinal horizontal member 18.A horizontal member 18, a front leg 14, and a rear leg 16 define aninverted U-shaped side member. The front legs 14 of the support member12, in the embodiment shown, are shown somewhat shorter than the rearlegs 16 so as to compensate for the downward and rearward slant of thetop of the specific trunk lid L shown. A pair of horizontal transversecross members 20 are rigidly interconnected to the inverted U-shapedside members defined by the front legs, horizontal members 18 and rearlegs 16. The inverted U-shaped sidemembers and the cross member 20 areall desireably constructed of a square, hollow cross section steel oraluminum member. The cross members 20 are secured, as by welding, to thehorizontal members 18 at the point of interconnection therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 7, as well as to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of rigidrearwardly extending bicycle support arms, generally 22, are rigidlyinterconnected to the rear legs 16 of the support frame 12. The supportarms 22 include a cross plate 24 which extends transversely between theupper and rear surfaces of the rear legs 16 and are secured thereto, asby welding, to the rear upper face of the rear legs 16. Desirably, thecross plate 24, includes frontwardly extending flanges 26, which arewelded to the side faces of the rear legs 16 in order to provide for aneven more rigid interconnection therebetween.

A rearwardly extending rigid arm 28 is secured, as by welding, to theouter end portion of each end portion of the cross plate 24. The supportarm 28 includes an upstanding outer leg 30. Preferably, in order toproperly support the outer end of the support arm 28, an angle brace 32is connected at one end to the lower portion of the rear leg 16 and atthe other end to the lower outer end of the bicycle support arm 28. Thebrace 32 may be secured to the rear leg 16 and to the undersurface ofthe support arm 28 by any suitable means, as by a rivet 34. As best seenin FIG. 8, the frame of a bicycle B rests on the arms 28 and the legs 30prevent the bicycle B from sliding back off the arms 28.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8, the rear portion ofthe support member 12 is held tightly against the top surface of thetrunk lid L by flexible securing members, generally 36. The securingmembers comprise a pair of flexible and adjustable straps 38, which havetheir upper ends fixedly secured, as by bolts or rivets 40, to the crossplate 24, which in turn, is rigidly to the rear leg 16 of the support12. The lower ends of the flexible straps 38 have brackets 42 securedtherein. Each bracket 42 defines an upwardly facing hook portion 44which engages under the lower edge of the rear of the trunk lid L, asbest seen in FIG. 1. When the straps 38 are tightened by buckles 48, therear of the support member is held firmly against the top of the trunklid L. As shown, in order to prevent scratching or denting of the trunklid L, the bottoms of the legs 14 and 16 have bumpers 46 mountedthereon.

The carrier 10 also includes a pair of front, rigid securing members,generally 50, for rigidly securing the front portion of the supportmember 12 to the front of the trunk lid L. Each securing member 50 alsoincludes a pair of substantially horizontal elongated rods 52 which arethreaded at their opposite ends. The rods 52 are transversally spacedfrom each other and extend longitudinally of the automobile. The rearthreaded ends of the rods 52 pass through suitable apertures provided ineach of the rear legs 16 of the support member 12, as best seen in FIG.4. The rods 52 also pass through a front, separate cross plate 54 whichhas spaced openings as again seen in FIG. 4, through which the threadedrear ends of each of the rods 52 pass. A formed rear cross plate 56extends across the rear side of the rear leg 16, as best seen in FIGS. 2and 4. The rear cross plate 56 is formed to pass around the legs 16 anda pair of outwardly extending flanges 58 are provided thereon forpositioning adjacent the outer ends of the front cross plate 54.Apertures are also provided in the rear cross plate 56 for securing rearends of the threaded rods 52. Intermediate the rear leg 16 and the rearcross plate 56, a wing nut 60 is threadably mounted on each threaded rod52 for securing each threaded rod 52 directly to the support member 12.Preferably, the longitudinal section 61 of the rear cross plate 56, isdimensioned so as to prevent turning of the wing nut 60 after the formedcross plate 56 is secured in place. The front end of the cross rod 52,as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, includes a bracket 62 which includes arearwardly extending hook 64. As best seen in FIG. 1, the hook 64 of thebracket 62 is designed to engage the front edge of the trunk lid L. Apair of lock nuts 66 rigidly secure the bracket 62 to the front end ofthe threaded rods 52.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of locks 68 are secured to theopposite ends of a flexible cable 70. The flexible cable 70, as seen inFIG. 8, is secured to the frame of the bicycle B and the opposite endsare secured to each lock 68. The lock 68 passes through the apertures inthe outer ends of the front cross plate 54 and flanges 58 of the rearcross plate 56.

In mounting the carrier 10, the support member 12 is first positioned ontop of the trunk lid L. The bicycle support arms 28 should extendoutwardly beyond the rear end of the automobile A, so that the bike Bhangs downwardly, as shown in FIG. 8, beyond the rear end of the auto.The mounting of the support member 12 on the lid L is accomplished whenthe lid L is not locked. The brackets 42 in the flexible straps 38 areplaced under the lower edge of the rear of the lid L and then the strapsare secured tightly by the buckles 48 to hold the rear of the supportmember 12 tightly against the trunk lid L. The brackets 62 at the frontend of the rod 52 are then placed under the front edge of the trunk lidL, and the rear end of the rods are passed first through the rear crossplate 56 and then through the front cross legs 14. The wing nuts 66 arethen threaded onto the threaded ends of the rods 52 and are tightlysecured thereon until the front end of the support member 12 is rigidlysecured in place. The rear cross plate 56 is then placed over the endsof the rods 52 and the flanges 58 are placed adjacent the outer end ofthe front cross plate 54. The cable 70 is passed around the frame of thebicycle B which has been placed on the support arms 28 therefor. Theshackles of the locks 68 are then passed through the apertures in thecross plates 54 and 56 and the lock is secured thereon.

It is seen from the foregoing that I have provided a bicycle carrier formounting on automobiles which discourages theft of the bicycle. Not onlyis the bicycle securely mounted and locked in place to the carrier, butthe locked carrier would be difficult to manipulate if someone wished tosteal the bicycle and/or the carrier. It would be time consuming andwould require significant manipulation for this to be accomplished.Also, the carrier is very simple in construction and easy to use. Thus,all of the objects previously set forth have been accomplished.

While in the foregoing, there has been provided a detailed descriptionof a particular embodiment of the present invention, it is to beunderstood that all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the artare to be included within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. A rack formounting a bicycle on to a portion of an automobile with a front edgeand a rear edge while discouraging theft of the bicycle and rack, saidrack comprising, in combination, a rigid support member having a frontportion and a rear portion, means rigidly mounted on said rear portionof said support member and projecting rearwardly therefrom forsupporting at least one bicycle thereon, means for connecting said rearportion of said support member to the rear of said automobile portion,means for interconnecting said front portion of said support member tothe front of said automobile portion, said front interconnecting meansincluding a pair of rigid interconnecting rods having means at one endthereof for interconnection to said automobile portion and having meansat the other end thereof for interconnection to said support member, apair of adjustable plate members receiving said rod members and engagingthe front of said support members, flexible elongated means engagingsaid bicycle, and means for interlocking said flexible member to saidsupport member for discouraging theft of said bicycle.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said automobile portion is a trunk lid.3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bicycle receiving meanscomprises a pair of rearwardly projecting spaced arms, said armsextending beyond the rear of the automobile, and upstanding legs at theouter ends of said spaced arms.
 4. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid front portion interconnecting means comprises a pair of rigidconnecting rods having means at one end thereof for interconnection tosaid automobile portion and having means at the other end thereof forinterconnection to said support member.
 5. The combination of claim 1wherein said plate members receive lock members at its opposite ends,each of said lock members also being interconnected to the opposite endsof said flexible means to thereby lockably secure said bicycle to saidrack. .Iadd.
 6. A rack for mounting two-wheeled vehicles on a portion ofan automobile while discouraging theft of the vehicle and rack, asupport member comprising a pair of inverted generally U-shaped memberseach having an intermediate bight portion, a front leg and a rear leg,and rigid cross members interconnecting said inverted U-shaped members,each of said inverted U-shaped members resting on the upper surface ofsaid automobile portion, a pair of vehicle support arms connected to therear leg of each of said inverted U-shaped members and extendingrearwardly beyond said support members in a direction generally parallelto said bight portions of said members, flexible adjustable means forconnecting said support member to the rear edge of said automobileportion, rigid means for interconnecting said support member to thefront edge of said automobile portion, said rigid means including atleast one rigid rod having a forward end secured to the front edge ofsaid automobile portion, the other end of said rod being interconnectedwith said front leg of one of said inverted U-shaped members andadjustable with respect thereto, thereby to position said support memberat a desired location on said automobile portion, means for preventingseparation of said adjusted rod from said front leg to prevent removalof said support member from said automobile portion, and locking meansincluding a flexible cable interconnecting a vehicle positioned on saidsupport arms and said support member for preventing removal of thevehicle from said support member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 7. The combination ofclaim 6, which includes a pair of brace members extending at an anglebetween the bottom portions of said rear legs of said support member andthe rear end of said vehicle support arms, thereby to prevent bending ofsaid support arms under the weight of a vehicle placed thereon..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 8. A rack for mounting two-wheeled vehicles on aportion of an automobile while discouraging theft of the vehicle andrack, a support member comprising a pair of inverted generally U-shapedmembers each having an intermediate bight portion, a front leg and arear leg, and rigid cross members interconnecting said inverted U-shapedmembers, each of said inverted U-shaped members resting on the uppersurface of said automobile portion, a pair of vehicle support armsconnected to the rear leg of each of said inverted U-shaped members andextending rearwardly beyond said support member in a direction generallyparallel to said bight portions of said members, flexible adjustablemeans for connecting said support member to the rear edge of saidautomobile portion, rigid means for interconnecting said support memberto the front edge of said automobile portion, said rigid means includingat least one rigid rod having a forward end secured to the front edge ofsaid automobile portion, the other end of said rod being threaded andextending through said front leg of one of said inverted U-shapedmembers, a nut on said threaded other end portion for adjusting theposition of said rod relative to said front leg, thereby to positionsaid support member at a desired location on said automobile portion,means for preventing rotation of said nut after it has been adjusted,thereby to prevent removal of said support member from said automobileportion, and locking means including a flexible cable interconnecting avehicle positioned on said support arms and said support member forpreventing removal of the vehicle from said support member..Iaddend..Iadd.
 9. A rack for mounting two-wheeled vehicles on a portionof an automobile while discouraging theft of the vehicle and rack, asupport member comprising a pair of inverted generally U-shaped memberseach having an intermediate bight portion, a front leg and a rear leg,and rigid cross members interconnecting said inverted U-shaped members,each of said inverted U-shaped members resting on the upper surface ofsaid automobile portion, a pair of vehicle support arms connected to therear leg of each of said inverted U-shaped members and extendingrearwardly beyond said support member in a direction generally parallelto said bight portions of said members, flexible adjustable means forconnecting said support member to the rear edge of said automobileportion, rigid means for interconnecting said support member to thefront edge of said automobile portion, said rigid means including a pairof rigid rods secured to the front edge of said automobile portion andhaving threaded end portions which extend through openings in said frontleg of each of said inverted U-shaped members, a nut on the threaded endportion of each of said rods for individually securing said rods inadjusted position with respect to said support member, means forpreventing rotation of each of said nuts after said rods have beenadjusted with respect to said support member, and locking meansincluding a flexible cable interconnecting a vehicle positioned on saidsupport arms and said support member for preventing removal of thevehicle from said support member. .Iaddend.